September 2026

September felt like sports sports sports- with soccer and baseball practices, and games. Weeknights felt overly busy- but you can do anything for a month right (that seemed to be our mantra). So fun though to see our boys progress and have fun with sports and develop great sportsmanship. Carter made us laugh when he looked at Brad at dinner one night and said "Dadda why don't you like sports,?" Brad was taken aback and said what do you mean- I like sports. Then Carter clarified and said "Then why don't you play for the World Cup." LOL! And he made us laugh another time when he said "Dadda when I grow up am I going to be like you?" Brad suspiciously answered- in what way? and Carter said- "bald." LOL! We made dinner for Grandma Great to celebrate her 96 birthday- she requested Brad's spaghetti our last visit with her. So grateful to spend time with her and hear her stories about growing up and her perspective on 96 years of life. Brad and I took Bella for a sunset hike/walk and re-established our plan to have date nights. After Saturday soccer games the boys took turns walking with me and Bella to the farmers market. We became regulars at the empanada, hummus, and sourdough bread booths. We chilled at the Coldplay concert and Carter set up his "drum set" after. We represented Guatemala at Dia de Las Naciones. We played games at Jazz Fest and did our first color run at the boy's school fundraiser. And as our last date night of the month we finally checked out Urbanhill and we were blown away that food could taste that good. 

 

August 2026

August started off with more sports- this time baseball. Carter got to play a short season with cousin Alec on the "Sandlot" field and get ice cream after. He decided he loves baseball. We checked out the art festival and loved the Emokids concert. Carter was determined to finish his summer challenge list from his PE teacher so we had to climb a summit- we chose Ensign peak and watched the sunset. Our remodel is slow but surely coming along. The middle (like in so many things) can be the hardest part- a few faulty valves and water leaks as well as slow progress have made us question this decision a few times but no going back now so we will find joy in the journey. Carter and Jefferson completed a 10 mile bike ride. Brad took the boys for a father son campout and got a flat tire when he drove over a tent peg, but they all still had a blast. The boys brought their pocket knives and had fun carving. Thankfully they were not camping too far so Mary picked them up and the tire in the morning and Pop pop gave Brad a ride back to the car with the fixed tire. We had some more fun with our Jefferson cousins and checked out the hot air balloon festival.  We had one last summer adventure to Causey and gasped when we saw how much water they had pumped out. Carter decided he was big enough to row so roles were reversed and people laughed seeing the mom relaxing and the son rowing. We ate at our fave restaurant in Eden and cheersed the end of summer 2026. Jefferson and Mary finally beat Brad in pickleball so we celebrated with a mama date. Brad and Carter were jealous so they had their own date. We ended our summer cousin sleep overs with Forrest and Blaine and Blaine and Carter made an elaborate car track. We stumbled upon the afterparty of Bananaball and were introduced to this baseball spinoff. And for our last summer challenge, the boys slept in the backyard and woke up early to watch the sunrise. Jefferson and Mary finished the 2000 piece Disney puzzle and then we were off to school. 6th grade for Jefferson and 2nd grade for Carter. Last year in elementary school together. And Brad and I celebrated/grieved at brunch together. We went on a weekend camping trip with our Jefferson family (minus a few people) and had a blast on the waterslide, 9 ball, and gaga ball, archery, zipline, and challenge course. On one chill summer night the boys decided they were going to race in the back yard and Carter wanted to win so badly he got rid of his shirt. Boys are so easily entertained. And we ended the month with Larger than Life boy band concert, and Just Like Pink. Love all the summer concerts. Carter made us laugh when his friends mom told us he explained we are doing the remodel because he jumped on the couches 50,000 times.